beintnell



(No Model.) Mums-sheet 1.

A. H. BRINTNELL.

ANNUNGIATOR.

TH: mums persas on., pnnroumo., msmracran, n. c.

Nrrnn STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ARCHIBALD H. BRINTNELL, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

ANNUNCIATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 470,831, dated March 15, 1892. Application filed April 11, 1891l Serial No. 388,47-2. (No model.)

To aZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARCHIBALD H. BRINT- NELL, manufacturer, of the city of Toronto, in

vtire-alarm in the annunciator, but in which,

however, should the incipient heat be increased to such a degree as to turn into alire, the electrical current would pass immediately to the tire-alarm bell and indicatorin the annunciator and simultaneously cut off the current from the trouble-alarm bell and indicator, and, secondly, in which a Weak-battery alarm would be rung and indicated should the battery to which the Wires in the building are connected become weak or any of the battery-wires be out; and it consists, essentially, first, of operating the troublealarm and iire-alarm bells, the trouble and tire alarm indicating levers, and the trouble and tire alarm indicating plates from the armatures of a series 0f magnets, which armatures are operated by their connection with a closed and an open circuit battery, and, secondly, in providing a supplemental magnet and armature, which armature drops, and a connection with a local battery is formed, which battery operates magnet and armature to ring the weak-battery alarm, the whole being arranged in detail in the manner hereinafter more particularly explained.

Figure l is a perspective outside View showing the general outside arrangement of my annunciator. Fig. 2 is a perspective interior View, partially in section, With the front removed. Fig. 3 is a plan of arrangement of thermostat-wires and their connection with the annunciator and test-box.

In the drawings like letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The annunciator shown is designed for a building of three floors; but it will ofcourse D and d are the magnet and armature which operate the fire-alarm bell. E and e are the magnet and armature which operate the trouble-alarm bell, and F and f are the magnet and armature which operate the Weal -batteryalarm bell. These bells, with their magnets, armatures, and connections, are of any well-knownl lform adapted to ring continuously so long as the current is unbroken, and it is not'thought necessary to show particularly these connections.

G, H, and I are single magnets and are ldesigned tooperate the tire-alarm-indicating lever J, trouble-alarm-indicating lever J and weak-battery-indicating lever J, respectively. v

K, L, and M are the indicating-plates, which are designed to show the number of the flat in which incipient heat, accident to wires, or

fire takes place.

K L M are transparent openings made inl the front plate of the annunciator to exhibit the plates K, L, and M, respectively,when down on a horizontal position to indicate a trouble or fire alarm. The indicating-plates K, L, and M are secured on the ends of the arms 7a, Z, and m, extending out from the spindles n, journaled in brackets o, forming part of each of the frames p, which support the magnets Q, R, and S.

q is a spiral spring located on the spindle n and so arranged that one end extends over each of the arms Zal, and m, so that the tendency of the spring q is to force each of them downwardly'. i

fr is a stop-arm curved in the form shown. Thefree end of each of the arms r extends beneath and presses against the bottom of the frame p of each magnet when the indicating-plates K, L, and M are down and holds each indicating-plate vertical opposite its respective opening.

.N, O, and P are the armatures of each of the magnets Q, R, and S, respectively.

s is a spiral spring connected at one end to the lower arm of each of the armatures and at the other end to its respective frame p. The

IOC)

armatures N, O, and P are L-shaped at their lower ends and each has a stop t formed on the Lshaped ends, as shown.

u is a stop against which the end ot each L-shaped end of the armatures N, O, and P butts when the armature falls away from its respective magnet.

X is a strip of metal extending beneath each of the frames p, andY is a strip extending beneath each ci' the stops t.

T and U are the magnet and armature by which the current is thrown from the troublealarm-magnet wires to the tire-alarm-magnet wires, and V and W are the magnet and armature by which the current is thrown from the battery wires in the ,building when the current becomes weak to the local or open circuit battery-wires which pass through the magnet F and operate the armature f and its hammer to ring the weak-battery-alarm bell. The magnet T is supported on a frame g, and the armatureUin its normal position is held away from the magnet by the spiral spring h, so that its' lower T-shaped end is held against the stop fi. j is a stop situated at the other side of the Tshaped lower end of the armature U. The magnet V is supported on a frame .t and in its normal position holds the armature IV close to it, so that the bottom L-shaped end ot' the armature is away from the stop y.

,e is a spiral `spring secured at one end to the armature IV and at the other to the frame a'.

All of the magnets Q, R, S, T, and V are insulat-ed from their respective frames. The frames pot the magnets Q, R, and S, however, are secured on the strip X. The stops a also are all located on a strip Y. The continuation ot' each of the trouble-alarm wires b extends into the interior of the annnnciator through each of the magnets Q, R, and S to the binding-post Z.

2 is a wire extending from the binding-post Z through the magnet V, thence to the binding-post 3, from which three battery-wires a extend to their batteries and posts 4L in the test-box, from which they continue and complete the circuit with the trouble alarm wires l).

c c c are the fire-alarm wires, connected to and extending from the binding-post 5 in the test-box A and to each thermostat on each floor to the binding-post c at the top of the annunciator, as indicated, thence running through the magnet T to the binding-post 3, from which the three wires a extend to their respective batteries and post et in the testbox A. It will now be seen that three complete circuits are formed by the trouble-alarm and battery wires, and also three complete circuits by the fire-alarm and battery wires.

Should any incipient heat arise in any part of the building, the thermostat in that part immediately throws the electrical current off the wire l) in that floor-say, for instance, the iirst ilat. The armature N is then drawn by the spring s back from the magnet Q, the L- shaped bottom end of the armature striking against the stop it, thus throwing into circuit the local-battery wire G, the current passing along the wire 6, strip Y, frame p, strip X, and wire G, which then conducts the current through the frame g of the magnet T, the lower part of the armature U, and the stop t`, from which the current is conducted through the trouble-alarm magnet E, so as to operate the armature e and ring the trouble-alarm bell B. The wire ti then carries the current through the magnet Il, the core of which attracts the lever J to it, so as to indicate that there is something wrong in the fiat indicated by the drop, and then proceeds to the local battery, thus forming a complete circuit. lVhen the armature is drawn back, as before described, the stop t moves away from the end of the curved arm r, which, being relieved, is now forced beneath the frame p by the spring q, which also acts on the arm 7o, forcing it and the indicating-plate K (exhibited by dotted lines in Fig. 2) down into the position opposite the opening K', as shown in this figure. The other indicating-plates L and M, armatures O and I, and magnets R and S, respectively, co-operate in the same way as to each floor of the building; It the incipient heat which causes the thermostat to throw the current oit the wire b should cease to exist, the current would pass again over the wire b and its connecting-wires, as before described, and draw the armature N back to the magnet Q, thereby immediately stopping the ringing of the trouble-alarm bell. The indicating-plate K, however, would still remain down opposite its opening K', so as to indicate that some cause for alarm has taken place. As shown in Fig. 2, the indicating-plates K and L are down opposite their respective openings K L', so that in these there must consequently be some cause for alarm. Even after the trouble-alarm bell has stopped ringing it will still. be clearly shown that somo cause for alarm has taken place on the floor indicated by the number appearing in any ot" the openings K', L', or M. This insures investigation by the party who has chargeof the building, even if he should happen to be away during the period in which the incipient heat has arisen. l

The indicating-plate M and armature .P on the third floor are shown in their normal position before being actuated.

In Fig. 2 I have not shown any means for restoring the indicating-plates in position, as I do not claim anything in the manner of accomplishing this result; but it will of course be understood that any suitable sliding bar with its attachments similar to those now commonly in use may be used to accomplish the desired result.

Having now shown in detail the mode of operating the trouble-alarm, I shall proceed' to describe the nre-alarm system. Should the incipient heat rise to suoli a degree, or, in

IOO

ITO

in the at or room in which the thermostat' is situated that a tire would have commenced, the current is thrown by the thermostat onto one of the tire-alarm wires c, through which it passes to the binding-post c', whence it passes by the wire 7 through the magnet T, down to the binding-post S, which is connected by the wire 2 to the binding-post 3, thus completing the circuit. The magnet T now draws to it the armature U, the lower T- shaped end of which is now forced against the stop j. The current from the local battery is thus thrown into circuit and passes along through the wire 6, strip Y, stop u, lower part of the armature N, frame vp, strip X, wire 6, frame g, lower part of the armature U, stop j, and then along the wire 9 to the magnet D, therebyT operating the armature d to ring the fire-alarm bell. The current now passes from the magnet D, along the wire 9, to the magnet G, which draws the leverJ into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. l. The Wire 9 then passes to the binding-post 10, thence along the wire il to the binding-post 12 of the local-circuit battery, thus forming a complete circuit and operating both the firealarm bell and iire-alarm-indicatinglever. As theindicating-plate on the first floor, in which incipient heat has first arisen, has dropped into the position similar to that indicated by the plates K and L in Fig. 2When the troublealarm bell is rung, it will be seen that it will remain in position when the fire-alarm bell is rung and still continue to indicate the floor in which the re is taking place. As the local-battery current passes along the wire 9 to ring the fire-alarm bell and the lower part of the armature U presses against the stop j, it will be seen that the local-battery current is thrown off the wires which actuate the troublealarmbellandindicating-lever. Consequently the trouble-alarm bell ceases to ring; but the indicating-lever, however, still remains in position until restored by the operator to its normal position. The indicating-plate also remains in position until restored to show the floor in which the heat is now so intense that it would be readily comprehended that a tire must be raging there.

N ext in order I shall describe the operation of the mechanism for operating the weak-battery-alarm bell and indicator. As hereinbefore described, the wire 2 from the closed-circuit battery, or battery to which the wires running through the building are connected, runs through the magnet V. The armature W during this period is held to the magnet V; but immediately the current from the closedcir cuit-battery wires becomes weak the strength of the current through the magnet V is insufficient to support the armature IV, which consequently falls away from the magnet V, the spring e' bringing the L-shaped lower end of the armature WV against the stop y. It will now be seen that a complete circuit will now be formed from the local or open-circuit battery-over the wire 6, which starts from the binding-post 13, connected by wire to the local battery through the strip Y, wire 14, frame fr, lower part of the armature W, stop y, wire 14, up to the magnet F, which actuates the armature fand rings the weak-battery-alarm bell C. The wire 14 then runs through the single magnet I, thus operating the indicating-lever J, thence to the bindin g-post 10, from which it is carried by the wire 11 to the binding-post 12, which is connected by wire tothe local battery, as indicated. The weak-battery-alarm bell and lindicating-lever are thus actuated immediatelyv upon the current from the main battery becoming weak. If, however, the closed-circuit-battery Wire a should be cut 'between the test-box and the annunciator, all the drops would come down, the weak-batteryalarm bell would first be actuated, and then the trouble-alarm bell, and they-would both continue to ring until the connection is restored. If the trouble-alarm wire Z9 is cut between the test-box and the annunciator, the drop corresponding to the flat would come down and the trouble-alarm bell would ring immediately and continue to do so until the connection is restored. Should the troublealarm bell, however, be ringing from incipient heat, it will only continueto do so until the heat has passed away on -account of the thermostat and annunciator acting automatically with each other. I may here state that cutting the wires, cross-circuiting, or any other cause by which the current is broken causes the trouble-alarm bell to ring. It will be seen that the tire-alarm bell will never be caused to ring, except by intense heat affecting the thermostat. If any of the hre-alarm Wires c should be cut, there would still be the trouble-alarm wires, which would actuate the trouble-alarm, and thus give warning to the caretaker of the building that something was wrong on the floor indicated. If any of the trouble-alarmwires were cut, the fire-alarm wires c would still be left to give warning at the annunciator. In fact, a double means is IOO IIO

provided to insure an alarm being rung at the ann unciator.

On reference to Fig. 3,it will be understood that by the arrangement of my test-boXI can by the switches 15 iind out at any moment whether my sy stem is in perfect workin g order.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the magnets, with their armatures and mechanism for throwing down the indieating-plates, are operated from the main-circuit battery or battery which supplies the current to the wires which run through the building. The magnets and armatures which respectively throw into circuit lthe local-battery wires, which through their magnets and armatures operate the trouble-alarm, fire-alarm, and Weak-battery-alarm bells and indicating levers, are also operated through the maincircuit battery. It will also be seen fromthis description that the advantage of my annuncia-tor over those at present in use is that the caretaker' or watchman of the building would always be immediately apprised of the exact kind of alarm which is rung at the annunciator, and may govern himself accordingly.

lVhat l claim as my invention is l. In combination,the main circuit,including the trouble-alarm wire and the lire-alarm wire, the said trouble-alarm wire including in its circuit a relay to bring into action a local battery when the current on the troublealarm wire 4is thrown oit, a thermostat for throwing the current off the trouble-alarm wire and onto the tire-alarm wirea troublealarm and a tire-alarm, each comprising a magnet and armature, the electrical connections between the relay, the trouble-alarm, the local battery, includingr the armature U and the contact t', the said tire-alarm wire including the magnet T of the armature U and the contact j, electrically'connected with the tire-alarm, substantially as described.

2. In combination, the main battery, the trouble-alarm circuit, and the tire-alarm circuit, with the thermostat for throwing the current from the former to the latter, the relay included in the trouble-alarm circuit, the local-battery circuit controlled by the relay, a trouble and a iire alarm, and electrical connections therefrom to the local battery, including a switch T U in the iire-alarm circuit, adapted to cut out the trouble-alarm bell from and cut in t-he fire-alarm bell to the local circuit when the thermostat directs the current to the tire-alarm circuit, substantially as de scribed.

3. In combination, the main battery, the trouble-alarm wires, including a thermostat to throw the current oit of said wire, a relay in the trouble-alarm circuit, controlling a local battery and circuit, a trouble-alarm in said local circuit, and the movable indicatingplate controlled by the armature of the relay to be operated simultaneously with the completing of the local circuit and the ringing of the alarm, substantially as described.

4f. In combination, the main battery, trouble-alarm wires, including a relay, an indicating-plate, and a local battery controlled by the said relay, a trouble-alarm in the local circuit, the fire-alarm wire, the thermostat for throwing the current from the trouble` alarm to the tire-alarm circuit, the fire-alarm, and electrical connections from the tire-alarm wire to the said alarm, whereby upon the presence of incipient heat the trouble-alarm and the indicating-plate will be operated and remain in this position when the current is switched from the trouble-alarm wire onto the tire-alarm wire, substantially as described.

5. In combination, the main battery, the trouble-alarm wire, including a relay, an indicating-plate and a local-battery circuit controlled thereby, a trouble-alarm in the 1ocal-battery circuit, the fire-alarm wire, the thermostat for throwing the current from the trouble-alarm wire to the lire-alarm wire, a switch 'l U in the iire-alarm wire, controlling the the battery-circuit leading to the troublealarm, and the fire-alarm controlled by said switch.

i G. In combination, the trouble-alarm and tire-alarm wires, the thermostat for transferring the current from the trouble-alarm wire to the fire-alarm wire, the series of relays in the trouble-alarm wires, the strips X and Y in the relay or battery circuit, the strip X carrying the frames of the relays and the strips Y the contacts by which the local circuit is completed through the strip X, the contact, the relay armature and frame, and the strip Y, the trouble-alarm, and the tire-alarm, with connections to the relay-battery, substantially as described.

7. In combination,the trouble and iire alarm wires, the said trouble-alarm wires forming closed circuits, the thermostat for directing the .current from the trouble-alarm wire to the fre-alarm wires, the series of relays in the trouble-alarm circuits, the trouble-alarm, and the fire-alarm, the switch T U in the batterycircuit leading to the trouble and tire alarms, the strips X Y, forming parts of the relaybattery circuit and carrying the relays and the contacts, the weakbattery alarm, the magnet V in the trouble-alarm circuit, the armature VV, the contact 11j, and the electrical connections from the said contact to the weakbattery alarm and thence to the relay-circuit and the wire 14 from the strip X to the frame ot the magnet and armature, substantially as described.

8. The battery and trouble-alarm wires a and l), the trouble-alarm wire b of which runs through each of the magnets Q, R, and S and is designed when the current passes over the complete circuit of the wires to hold the indicating-plate up, but when the current is broken through any one magnet the armature of that magnet is drawn away bythe spring s, the stop t removed from in front of the curved arm r, and the indicatingplate is forced down by the spiral spring q, as specitied.

9. The battery and trouble-alarm wires a and b, the trouble-alarm l) of which runs through each of the magnets Q, R, and S and is designed when the current passes over the complete circuit ot the wires to hold the indieating plate u p, but when the current is broken through any one magnet the armature of that magnet is drawn away by the spring s, the stop t removed from in front of the curved arm r, and the indicating-plate is forced down by the spiral spring q, in combination with the stop u, secured on the strip Y and coming in contact with its respective armature and conveying the current from the local battery through the wire 6, strip Y, frame p, strip X, frame g of the magnet T, lower part of the armature U, stop c', through the magnets E and H, and back to the local battery, as specified.

lO. The battery and trouble-alarm wires (t and b, the trouble-alarm b of which runs IIO through each of the magnets Q, R, andS and 1s designed when the current passes over the complete circuit of the Wires to hold the indicating plate up, but when the current is broken through any one magnet the armature of that magnet is drawn away by the spring s, the stop t removed from in front of the curved arm r, and the indicating-plate is forced down by the spiral spring q, in combination with the fire-alarm Wire c and auxiliary Wire 7, by which the current from the local battery, running through the wire 6, strip Y, frame p, strip X, and frame g of the magnet T, is transferred through the armature U to the stop j, then along the wires 9 and 11, thus completing the circuit to thevlocal battery and operating in its course, by the magnets D and G, the fire-alarm bell and indicating-lever, as specified.

11. The combination, with the wire running from the main-circuit battery and completing the circuit through the magnet V, of the armature W, which when the current over the main wire becomes weak or extinct is drawn by the spring z against the stop y, and the current is thus thrown upon the local-battery wire, which now follows a course through the wire 6, strip Y, Wire 14, frame x, lower part of the armature W, stop y, and then proceeds by the wires 14 and 12 back to the battery, operating in its course, as it passes through the magnets F and I, the weak-batteryalarm bell and indicating-lever, as specified.

12. In an annunciator, an indicating-plate supported on a spindle journaled in brackets on the frame of the magnet and supported in position above the opening by a curved arm, the free end of which presses against a stop formed on the L-shaped lower end of the armature, which is held in position by the current passing through the magnet, as specified.

13. In an annunciator, an indicating-plate supported on a spindle journaled in brackets on the frame of the magnet and supported in position above the opening by a curved arm, the free end of which presses against a 'stop formed on the L-shaped lower end of the armature, which is held in vposition by the current passing through the magnet, in combination with the spiral spring s, designed to draw the lower end of the armature against the stop, thereby freeing the curved arm from its contact with the stop and allowing the spiral spring q to force the indicating-plate down opposite the opening, in which position it is supported by the free end of the curved arm pressing against the bottom of the frame QJ, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ARCHIBALD H. BRINTNELL. Witnesses: A. B. IWIONKHOUSE', LEWIS P. ABELL. 

